Loading and unloading apparatus



June 17, 1941. W. BISSET LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet l June 17, 1941. w. BISSET LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 II H June 17, 1941. w. BISSET LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 12, 1940 June 17, 1941. w. BISSET LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 17, 1941. w. BISSET 2,246,482

LOADING AND UNLOADI NG APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 1'7",v 1941. w. BESSET LOADING AND UNLO ADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented June 17, 1941 UN! E D N OFFICE AND" UNLOADING APPARATUS William Bisset, Port Hope, Ontario; Canada, as-

signortoMathewsConveyer Company, Limited, Portflope, Ontario, Canada, acorporationof Canada Application ll ebruary 12, 1940, Serial No..318 ,548\ 6 Claims.- (01. 198-109) This inventionrelates toloading and unload ing conveyor apparatus and is directed more particularly to an apparatus for loading and unloading boats.

The herein described apparatus, although capable of general application, was designed primarily for the purpose setforthandclescribed in applicants co-pendingapplication Serial No; 259,443,(filed March 2, 1939; but insteadofbeing particularly applicable for handling bags; the present apparatus is designed especiallytohandle' goods packed in boxes; cartons; cratesandthe like. i

The apparatus and equipment accordingto-the present invention is mainly applicable for use with ships thatareknown as between the declc type, which have no Winchesandthe unloading from the holds thereof must be carried out in some other manner. Heretoforathis operation was generally carried out by stacking up a certain number of cases in a sling, which was pulled up out of the hold with a Windlass; and then swung to the side of the ship where the cases could then be transferred to trucksandhauled to the freight shed. With the present invention, the-cases are placed on a conveyor which may beprojected into the hold of the ship, and this conveyor" delivers them to a conveyor line that terminates in the shed from which the cases are either stored or piled onto trucks'for distribution to freight cars or motor trucks.

The primary object of the present invention isto provide a loading and unloading apparatus for box and package carg0,although useful also for baggedcargo Orr-carriers; such as ships, which may be easily and quickly projected into or withdrawn from the hold or other cargo space of the carrier. i

Another object of the invention is to provide a sectionalconveyer of the aforesaid character having a series of spaced pusher bars driven by endless chains, the bars acting to push the boxes and the like along. the metal tray of the: conveyer.

A further object, of this invention is to provide abeltas a removable attachment for. quick application to the conveyer to behooked. over the pusher'bars' so that if thecargo of a ship alsoincludes bagged cargo asa part of the total cargo; it will be possible" to first unload the box cargo and then attach the belt and-remove the bagged-cargo, or vice versa;

With the foregoing and'otherobjects in view,

the invention may be stated to consist inthe various novel features of construction and arunloading a vessel, the dotted lines indicating,

the apparatus in positionto be lowered into the holdiof the vessel;

Figure 2" is across-sectional View ofthe conveyer on enlarged scale taken on line 2-'-2= of Figure 1;

Figure 3- is a side elevation of the motor or headsection of; the conveyer apparatus;

Figure l-is-a fragmentar-yend view of the-head: section of Figure 3 as-seen from the right hand end thereof;

Figure 5-is a fragmentaryend view of the conveyer partof the head section-as seen frornthe left handend of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sideelevation with parts in sectionvand illustrating the connection" between the head section and an intermediate section;

Figure 7 is a typical fragmentary cross-sectional view of one side of the conveyer;

Figure 8-is a, side elevation of the tail end:

section'of the apparatus;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary end view of -the:right hand end of Figure 8;

Figure, 10 is-a fragmentary end view of; the, left hand end of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a side-elevation of an intermediatesection of the conveyer apparatus;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary endview of theleft hand end of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a plan View of a portion of the carrying belt attachment;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View showing a portion ofthe, carrying, belt in fixed position; and

Figure 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View of the belttaken on line l5-I5 of; Figure 14.

Since the present invention is, particularly applicable for loading and. unloading ships for between the deckoperation, the drawings illustrate the conveyer apparatus in operative position between decks. In Figure 1, an upper deck I of the ship has a hatch opening 2 through which the conveyer apparatus 3 is suitably lowered by means of" a winch (not shown) with. the aid of a cable 4 secured to the outer or tail end of the apparatus. The dotted line position indicates the conveyer apparatus in the position on the deck where it has been placed prior to being lowered into the hold, and the full lines indicate the apparatus between the decks l and 6 in position to effect a loading or unloading operation.

The conveyer apparatus comprises a plurality of sections operatively connected together and having a motor or head section 1, a tail end sec tion 8 and an intermediate section or sections 9, the number of the latter depending upon the distance between decks or the angular position desired or advisable to meet certain conditions applicable to a certain type or structure of a ship. Each section is suitably provided with casters I!) so that the apparatus may be portable as well as adjustable.

Motor or head section Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the motor or head section which is suitably constructed in the form of an angle iron framework having base members II with uprights l2 and I2 and bracing struts l3, all of which may be bolted, riveted or otherwise secured together. A gear head motor 14, preferably electric, is suitably bolted to the base members II by bolts 15 and this motor drives a shaft 16 through a reduction gear H. A sprocket wheel I3 is securely mounted on the shaft I5 and drives,

by a suitable chain 19, a sprocket wheel 20, the I latter being mounted on a drive shaft 2| arranged transversely of the head section framework. Secured to this shaft 2! are a pair of laterally spaced sprocket wheels 22 over which are engaged chains 23 that extend longitudinally of the apparatus.

At the discharge end of the conveyer head there is preferably arranged a receiving platform 24 which is adapted to receive the articles from the power driven conveyer and position them substantially level with a gravity conveyer section that is adapted to be connected thereto. The platform 2c is pivotally connected at its inner ends by bolts 25 to arms 26 that extend from the head section framework, and the outer ends of the platform are supported by arms 2'! that detachably engage a transverse rod 28 in frame members l2. Also secured to the outer transverse edge portion of the platform 24 are supports 25 which are adapted to receive and support one end of a gravity conveyer section, not shown. This gravity section is of any standard or well known type and forms no part of the present invention.

The guide and supporting members for the conveyer chains 23 and the base or platform on which the boxes or cases slide during conveyance are mounted and secured to the upper ends of the uprights l2 and I2 The guide and supporting members for the conveyer chains include a pair of angle iron members 29, one on each side of the conveyer, for the lower run of each chain 23 and a similar pair of angle iron members 39 for the upper run of each chain. These angle iron members 29 and 38 may be welded or otherwise secured to the uprights l2 and 12 and the end portions thereof are preferably deflected outwardly as indicated at 3!, to prevent the chain from striking the ends of the members. An end plate 32 is secured to each pair of members 2e and 36 and is provided with a bearing boss 33, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

A base or platform 34 made of sheet metal, wood, or other suitable material is securely mounted between the upper and lower runs of the conveyer chains 23 and extends across the width of the conveyer. This sheet metal base 34 is mounted on angle iron members 35 that are secured to the conveyer framework, and acts as a platform on which the boxes slide during conveyance. To guide the boxes longitudinally along the conveyer, angle iron guard rails 36 are mounted thereon, by means of suitably spaced angle iron supports 31, on each side adjacent the upper runs of the chains 23 and on each side of the conveyer as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

Tail end section The tail end section is illustrated in detail in Figures 8 to 10 and this section is likewise supported by upright angle irons 38 to which are connected diagonal struts 38 and a short support 40 for the caster II]. An angle iron and frame 4! has bearing blocks 42 slidably mounted therein and in which the shaft 43 is journalled. The bearing blocks 42 are adjustable on the angle iron support 34 by means of screw-threaded bolts 45 and the adjusting plate 44. A pair of sprocket wheels 46 are mounted on the shaft 43 and these sprocket wheels engage the aforementioned chains 23.

This section is also provided with angle iron chain guides 29 and 30, guard rails 36 and supports 3'? therefor, end plates 32 and an article supporting platform 34, similar to those described in connection with Figure 3. Side angle iron struts 61 are secured intermediate the ends of the section to maintain the angle iron chain guides 29 and 30 in rigid spaced relation. Due to the curvature of this section an additional angle iron guide member 58 is mounted close to and following the curvature of each lower chain guide 29 for the purpose of guiding the lower runs of the chains 23 along the curved portion of this section of the conveyer.

Intermediate sections Figure 11 illustrates one of the intermediate sections 9 which may be of any required length and which has parts equivalent to the elements of the head and tail sections. These elements include the aforementioned angle iron chain guide members 29 and 30, the guard rails 36 and the angle iron supports 31 therefor, the article supporting platform or tray 36 and the end plates 32. Suitable supporting uprights G9 are connected to the'seotion and each is provided with a caster l0.

As shown at the right hand end of Figure 11, there is provided a right angle plate 50 to which an eye bolt 5! is secured and by means of which two intermediate sections may be rigidly secured General details The endless chain mechanism for moving the articles along the conveyor is illustrated in detail in Figures 2, 7 and 15. This mechanism includes the aforementioned pair of endless chains 23 between which are connected at spaced intervals a plurality of transversely disposed pusher bars 52 each journalled on a shaft 53 and provided at each end with a roller 56 arranged between the side members of the chain links. These rollers are adapted to engage the aforementioned chain guides 29 and 39. A slight modification of the pusher bar structure is illustrated in Figure 15 wherein a stub shaft 55 projects from each roller 5 and this stub shaft is socketed to receive the end of shaft 53. It; will be understood that the pusher bars 52 are adapted to engage behind the articles to be conveyed and move them along the article supporting platforms 34.

coinciding with the pusher bars 52.

push-er bar. conveyor into .a belt. type conveyer.

As shown in Figures 13, 1.4 and 1.5, a beltgfiliof any suitable flexible material :is provided on its inner surface with a plurality of metal hooks .51

arrangedin transverse spaced relation at points lhese hooks are secured 1,130 the belt in anysuitablemanner as by rivets 58 and a reinforcing clamping bar 66. The belt is applied by engaging the hooks 51 over the pusher bars and at: each end of the conveyer, a drum 59 is journalled .on the shaft 21 ,z

til extends through the aligned bearing bosses .33

and pivotally connects these sections together. Preferably, a spacing sleeve 53 is interposed be tween the inwardly projecting bearing bosses Asshown in detail in Figure 7, a guide roller 62 is journalled on each inwardlyprojecting bearing boss and these rollers serve to align the chains with the angle iron guides .29. andtll as they pass from one section to. the, other. The article supporting platform 3d of these two sections are each provided with a detachable extension 64 that is carried by an angle iron bracket 65 which is bolted to a transverse angle iron 35 carried by the projecting end of the support 3 As shown in Figure 6, these extensions project relatively close .to the spacing sleeve 63 to insure passing of the boxes or other articles smoothly from section tothe other.

Operation The conveying apparatus is pushed from the shed or other storage space onto the ship, such movement being facilitated by the ground engaging casters ill. The apparatus is placed adjacent the hatch 2 through which the cargo is to be loaded or unloaded, and the tail end section B is lowered into the hold of the ship by cable 4 to the deck 6 or other cargo space. While the tail end section 8 is lowered into the hold, the intermediate sections 9 are simultaneously moved forward and successively lowered through the hatch until the tail end section reaches the desired depth. The pivotal connections between the various sec tions make it possible to project the conveyer through a comparatively small opening (hatch) to any desired depth. The head section I remains on deck I and by reason of the pivotal connection between the head section and the adjacent intermediate section 9, the conveyer extends at an incline between the two levels I and 6. After the conveyor is in position, the intermediate sections are locked to one another and held rigidly in position by the eye bolts and plates to. It will be understood that it is contemplated to use additional conveying apparatus (not one both ends of the apparatus to facilitate .the moving of the .cargofrom ship to shore or vice versa, "and. suchzadditional conveying apparatus may involve gravitybconveyers or power driven convey ers asthe occasion demands. Assuming the .car go is .to- :be unloaded, the motor 154 on the head section is now started which causes the chains and pusher bars 52 to move upwardly over the supporting. .platform 34 and return along the lower .side :ofthe sections. 7 Boxes, packages and similar articles of the cargo are placed on the supporting platform 3d ;of the tail sectionland the moving pusher bars 52engage these articles to convey them upwardly and over the head section ll where' rthey are discharged onto platform 34. .From this point the articles are transported or iconveyedinany suitable manner to the warehouse. trucks or points of discharge.

- After the .boxes and .packages are discharged, andshould the cargo include bagged material, the apparatus is. stopped and the aforementioned belt SEJis-rastened to the. pusher :bars 52, thereby'con verting the apparatus into a belt conveyor which iscapable 10f conveying this class of car-go.

"line apparatus may be .used equally well for loading by merely reversing the direction .of rotation of motor M or bydriving the conveyer chains 23 in .an opposite direction through any suitable mechanical arrangement.

. While the apparatus is particularly useful for loading :and unloading vessels, it is obvious that .it is not .confinedto such use as it may be readily adapted for. transferring articles from .onerlevel to another, as .for example, from one floor to other floors of a building, and similar uses.

What .-I claim is: l

, 1....An apparatus of the character described comprising .a head section, a tail endzsection, and a pluralityof intermediate sections, said sections being relatively short and pivotally connected together to form. a flexible articulated conveyer adapted to be readily lowered section by section througha hatch opening in the deck of a vessel to a lower deck thereof, said head section and said tailsend section when in position being disposed substantially horizontally on the respective decks with said intermediate sections extending at aninclined angle. therebetween to form .a con,- tinuous framework between said decks, and an endless conveyer movable along said framework in a continuous path to transport articles between said decks.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a head section, a tail end section, and a plurality of intermediate sections, said sections being relatively short and pivotally connected together to form a flexible articulated conveyor adapted to be lowered section by section through a hatch opening in the deck of a vessel to a lower deck thereof, said head section and said tail end sections when in position being disposed substantially horizontally; on the respective decks with said intermediate sections extending at an inclined angle therebetween to form a continuous framework between said decks, a platform carried by and substantially co-extensive with each of said sections, said platforms forming a smooth and substantially continuous surface extending along said framework and adapted to receive and support articles to be transported between said decks, the platform carried by said tail end section having a horizontal portion for receiving and discharging articles and an upwardly curved shown) at either the head or tail section or at portion to gradually tilt articles being moved comprising a head section, a tail end section, and lo a plurality of intermediate sections, said sections being relatively short and pivotally connected together to form a flexible articulated conveyer adapted to be readily lowered section by section through a hatch opening in the deck of a vessel 1 to a lower deck thereof, said head section and said tail end section when in position being disposed substantially horizontally on the respective decks with said intermediate sections extending at an inclined angle therebetween to form a continuous framework between said decks, means for positively connecting said intermediate sections together to hold the inclined portion of said framework rigid, and an endless conveyer movable along said framework in a continuous path to transport articles between said decks.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a head section, a tail end section, and a plurality of intermediate sections, said sections being relatively short and pivotally connected together to form a flexible articulated conveyer adapted to be readily lowered section by section through a hatch opening in the deck of a vessel to a lower deck thereof, said head section and said tail end section when in position being disposed substantially horizontally on the respective decks with said intermediate sections extending at an inclined angle therebetween to form a continuous framework between said decks, a platform carried by and substantially coextensive with each of said sections, said platforms forming a smooth and substantially continuous surface extending along said framework, means for positively connecting said intermediate sections together to hold the inclined portion of said framework rigid and the platforms carried by said intermediate sections in substantially longitudinal alignment, and an endless conveyer movable along said framework including transversely disposed pusher bars to engage the articles and slide them along said latforms.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a head section, a tail end section, and a plurality of intermediate sections, said sections being relatively short and pivotally connected together to form a flexible articulated conveyer adapted to be lowered section by section through a hatch opening in the deck of a vessel to a lower deck thereof, said head section and said tail end sections when in position being disposed substantially horizontally on the respective decks with said intermediate sections extending at an inclined angle therebetween to form a continuous framework between said decks, a platform carried by and substantially co-extensive with each of said sections, said platforms forming a smooth and substantially continuous surface extending along said framework and adapted to receive and support articles to be transported between said decks, and an endless conveyer movable along said framework including transversely disposed pusher bars to engage the articles and slide them along the surface formed by said platforms to convey said articles between said decks.

6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a head section, a tail end section, and a plurality of intermediate sections, said sections being relatively short and pivotally connected together to form a flexible articulated conveyer adapted to be readily lowered section by section through a hatch opening in the deck of a vessel to a lower deck thereof, said head section and said tail end section when in position being disposed substantially horizontally on the respective decks with said intermediate sections extending at an inclined angle therebetween to form a continuous framework between said decks, a pair of endless chains movable along said framework in a continuous path, a plurality of transversely disposed and longitudinally spaced elements interconnecting said chains, and an endless flexible belt to receive and convey articles between said decks, said belt having a plurality of hooks secured thereto to engage said elements whereby said belt may be readily attached to and detached from said conveyer.

WILLIAM BISSET. 

